As a stay-at-home mother of 15 years, my life abruptly changed with my husband’s death. This is my story of hard money saving my financial future.

I had always loved staying home with my children, attending PTO meetings and never missing a beat with my family. Carson and I had been married for 15 years when he suddenly passed away. He worked construction and we lived paycheck to paycheck, as so many Americans do; however, early in our marriage we had inherited a large piece of land with two small homes in Montana. We rented the homes out; that was the income that allowed for me to stay home.

My life was pretty perfect. I was secure and my family was taken care of, until the night of March 14, 2012. On top of feeling lost without my husband, I now had to figure out how to both emotionally and financially take care of our children. For weeks I couldn’t think, couldn’t feel and some days couldn’t move. The bills began to pile up and I was alone, with no one to lean on. I had home design skills but was also 40 years old with no work experience. I decided to go to a staffing agency.

In my interview I began giving information about myself in order to be matched with employment. Basically, I could be a receptionist. I had no college degree and no work experience. I literally broke down in tears when the agent asked if I had any property, anything I could sell. She began telling me how she started rehabbing homes and selling them, fix and flips.

How I Got My Start in Fix and Flips

I sold the property, as I had intended to do well before the conversation with the agent. However, I believed that I would pay the bills off and invest in stocks. I never thought of investing through real estate and making a much better return. My first fix and flip project was exciting, yet terrifying at the same time.

I worked with an amazing lender that took an interest in what I had been going through and helped me through the process, as I knew absolutely nothing about real estate investments. I found a house that needed a ton of TLC. My lender approved the loan at 85% ARV (after repair value), leaving me with funds for materials and labor. I ended up with a profit of $7,000 from my first flip. It took me 6 months to rehab and sell. I know that doesn’t sound like great money, but remember I was a complete novice.

I am now flipping 9 to 10 houses a year. Last year my gross income was $167,000. I have a wonderful relationship with my lender. In fact, he is the only one I have ever used. Because of the trust we have built and the success we have made he is very flexible with my loan rates and repayment plan.

Sometimes life will hit you hard and you have to be prepared.

It may sound scary to invest in real estate. Trust me when I say that the fear comes completely from the unknown. You don’t have to do it full-time. Through my years I have met people that maybe flip one house a year, but it is enough for their retirement, to put their children through college or towards a vacation. Hard money and the right hard money lender can change your world!

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC
Hard Money Lender
Hard Money Loans
Hard Money Loan
Arizona Tel: (623) 582-4444
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Dennis
Dennis Dahlberg Broker/RI/CEO

NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027
111 Congress Ave | Austin | Texas | 78701

About the Author: Dennis has been working in the real estate industry in some capacity for the last 40 years. He purchased his first property when he was just 18 years old. He quickly learned about the amazing investment opportunities provided by trust deed investing and hard money loans. His desire to help others make money in real estate investing led him to specialize in alternative funding for real estate investors who may have trouble getting a traditional bank loan. Dennis is passionate about alternative funding sources and sharing his knowledge with others to help make their dreams come true. Dennis has been married to his wonderful wife for 43 years. They have 2 beautiful daughters 5 amazing grandchildren. Dennis has been an Arizona resident for the past 40 years.

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